BREAKING: Reps session turns chaotic after Agbese disowns signature on minority leader endorsement list

A heated exchange erupted in the House of Representatives on Thursday after Deputy House Spokesperson Philip Agbese disowned a list circulating among lawmakers that purportedly showed opposition members endorsing Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.

The controversy centred on a document said to contain the signatures of 61 members of the Minority Caucus backing Ugochinyere, a lawmaker elected on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP), for the leadership position.

Agbese challenged the authenticity of the list, insisting that his signature was forged and that he never endorsed the nomination. His revelation triggered tension on the floor of the House, leading to a rowdy session as lawmakers reacted to the allegation.

The disputed list had reportedly been circulated among members of the opposition caucus and later attracted public attention after Agbese’s name appeared among the signatories.

The development comes amid reports published by an online newspaper, Aljazirah, which alleged that each of the 61 lawmakers named on the list received $50,000 before signing in support of Ugochinyere’s bid for the Minority Leader position.

Coming under a motion of person privilege on the floor of the House, Agbese denied ever endorsing Ugochinyere, saying the publication in the newspaper, vis-a-vis his signature, infringed his privilege as a member of the Minority Caucus.

“Yesterday I saw a document on the internet with my name reportedly nominating a member of this House for the post of minority leader,” he said.

“I had conversed, deliberated and visited many members of this House. One of the persons I had such discussions with was my colleague, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere. Our discussion was basically centred on the welfare of members of the minority.

“Number two was on the issue of the executive not adhering to issues concerning our constituency projects,” he said.

“The person who signed this document, Honourable Seyi, I have not seen him since December 2025, so I am at a loss and I feel that my legislative privilege has been breached because this amounts to forgery for my signature to be used for purposes which were not intended,” he said.

“I saw on a social media blog that members have received a certain amount of money. I have not received any amount of money from anybody,” he said.

“My constituents have been calling me to know. This is not the first time my name is being mentioned in an issue like this. I don’t want to be involved and I don’t want my name to be further maligned as far as this is concerned because I have a right as a member of this House for my privileges to be fully protected,” he added.

Speaking further, Agbese said, “This is my integrity I am talking about, I never signed any document and I never received any amount of money and I will never do.

“I will tender the list to the House as well as the link to the online report for this House to investigate the matter,” he said.

In his ruling, the Speaker Abbas Tajudeen said the motion was noted and that the House would take actions in due cause.

However, shortly after the ruling, Ugochinyere, in a Motion of Personal Explanation, said that there was need to respond to the allegations raised by Agbese on live broadcast.

He explained to the House that Agbese was absent at the meeting where he was selected as Minority Leader by overwhelmingly majority of the caucus.

According to him, Agbese followed him to his office to append his signature on the document where other members had voted for his emergence.

Ugochinyere promised to provide evidences and witnesses to confirm his position, saying that there was no case of forgery of any sort.

However, Agbese interrupted Ugochinyere insisting that he never signed any document, then members, standing across their seats and in very loud voices, engaged in shouting match.

After several minutes trying to calm the House, the Speaker said a Minority Caucus meeting had already been fixed for 2 p.m and that all disagreements will be discussed there.

With many members still raising their hands to speak, Solomon Bob (APC-Rivers) said that according to House Rule 7 (15), only experienced members can be principal officers.

He said that Ugochinyere had barely spent three years in the House where there are opposition members with over 10 years experience.

He insisted that Ugochinyere should not be allowed to emerge.

Dagomie Abiante (APC-Rivers) said that the position of advanced by Ugochinyere should be not be allowed into the records of the House and should not be captured but ignored and deleted.

Tajudeen insisted that all contributions on the matter will be taken at the Minority Caucus meeting and proceeded with the agenda for the day.

Join Very Nigerian WhatsApp Community
For Quick Access To News and Happenings
Around You.